Reds lose ace, win first playoff game in 17 years

Cincinnati Reds' Brandon Phillips swings on a two-run home run in the third inning of Game 1 of the National League division baseball series against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

SAN FRANCISCO — Sam LeCure, Mat Latos and three other relievers shut down San Francisco after Cincinnati lost ace Johnny Cueto in the first inning with a back injury, and the Reds were powered by home runs from Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce to beat the Giants 5-2 in Game 1 of the NL division series Saturday night.

Phillips hit a two-run homer in the third and Bruce added a solo drive leading off the fourth as the Reds overcame losing their 19-game winner.

San Francisco's Matt Cain allowed his first career postseason earned runs after going untouched during the Giants' improbable World Series season of 2010.

Reds skipper Dusty Baker earned an emotional win in his return for the playoffs 10 years after managing the Giants within six outs of a championship.